Industrial producer price index up by 0.4%

National statistics show that the producer price index for total industry in March increased by 0.38% over the previous month and now stands at 95.63 points. Prices for intermediate, consumer and capital goods increased by 0.59%, 0.3% and 0.15 % respectively. Energy prices remained constant.

Prices within the domestic market increased by 0.13%. This was due to increases within the capital goods (0.45 per cent), intermediate goods (0.25%) and consumer goods (0.08%). Prices for the non-domestic market increased by 0.56%. Prices in respect of goods destined for the non-euro area increased by 0.72%, and for the euro area by 0.28%.

On an annual basis, the industrial producer price index decreased by 2.33%. The downturn resulted from price decreases in energy (6.98%) and intermediate goods (4.51%). Prices in respect of consumer goods and capital goods rose by 1.89% and 0.57% respectively. Producer prices for the domestic market decreased by 2%, mainly on account of the drop in energy prices. On the other hand, increases were observed in capital goods (1.54%) and consumer goods (0.85%).

In March, non-domestic prices decreased by 2.5%. This resulted from drops of 2.75% and 2.12% with regard to the non-euro and euro area respectively.